The Blue Jackets had just pulled to 3-2 early in the third period, and the long-suffering faithful in Nationwide Arena were up on their feet waving white shirts, chanting “CBJ! CBJ! CBJ!” and trying to believe that something special could happen.

On the brink of elimination in their best-of-seven series against Washington, the Blue Jackets had again trailed for virtually the entire game. But here they were, within sniffing distance of catching the Capitals, not just 3-3 on the scoreboard but possibly 3-3 in a series full of overtime games.

Only 91 seconds after rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois made it 3-2, however, Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allowed a backbreaking goal that sent 18,667 fans back down in their seats with a groan.

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella closed his eyes and whipped back his head on the bench in disgust.